Grove and Metcalfe Roll Out Welcome Mat to Gun Manufacturers: ‘We Are Passionate About Defending the Second Amendment in PA’

HARRISBURG — State Representatives Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and Seth Grove (R-York) announced today that they are reaching out to encourage several leading out-of-state firearms and weapons components manufacturers, including Beretta, Magpul and Remington, to relocate their facilities and bring hundreds of jobs to Pennsylvania.

“With America’s single largest per capita representation of National Rifle Association members and more than one million licensed hunters and anglers contributing billions of dollars annually into our state and local economies, Pennsylvania is a natural fit for any of our nation’s major producers of guns, ammunition or accessories that are currently looking for a new home due to the imposition of senseless, gun-grabbing legislation by their state or local governments,” said Metcalfe, who is the prime sponsor of the Right to Bear Arms Protection Act (House Bill 357).

Final enactment of House Bill 357 would make any new federal gun control laws unenforceable within the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania is known all over the country for clinging to its guns, and it’s time that we use this reputation to our advantage,” Grove added. “By enticing these three companies to Pennsylvania, we are sending a clear message that we welcome their industry, and we also welcome the hundreds of jobs and multi-million dollar economic impact this would bring to the Commonwealth.”

In February, news reports indicated Maryland gun manufacturer Beretta had begun considering a relocation of its headquarters – and its 300 jobs – to a state where its product hasn’t been made illegal. Its principal location is in Prince Georges County, Maryland, and the Maryland state legislature is advancing a ban on assault weapons. Beretta has a history of relocating operations, as evidenced by moving a significant facility to Virginia after Maryland’s previous attempt to restrict the Second Amendment.

“Recent reports have indicated that gun manufacturers are disappointed with the actions of the federal government and several state governments which want to enact legislation undermining the firearms industry,” Grove said. “We wholeheartedly believe in defending our Second Amendment rights, and if other states are looking to legislate an industry out of existence, then we should capitalize on this opportunity to deliver to our constituents good, family-sustaining jobs.”

Metcalfe and Grove are also interested in attracting Magpul, a manufacturer of weapons components and high-capacity ammunition magazines, from its headquarters in Colorado, and Remington Arms Company, a New York-based gun and ammunition manufacturer.

Magpul has threatened to leave Colorado if the state bans individuals from owning magazines with more than 15 rounds. Magpul employs 200 people directly and works primarily with contractors in the state where it is located. Currently operating a manufacturing plant with more than 1,000 employees about 90 miles west of Albany, Remington may also decide to leave the Empire State in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing into law a regulatory package that he called the “toughest gun control laws in the nation” on Jan. 15.

“In Pennsylvania, we are passionate about upholding Article 1, Section 21 of our state constitution which declares in no uncertain terms, ‘The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned,’” said Metcalfe. “This has been the case since 1776 when Pennsylvania became the first state in the nation to adopt a formal guarantee of our God-given right to keep and bear arms and this foundational heritage of individual liberty and freedom will only continue to expand with final passage of House Bill 357.”

Metcalfe and Grove are also calling on all Pennsylvania citizens who support Constitutional liberty to attend Pennsylvania’s annual Second Amendment Action Day on Tuesday, April 23, beginning at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda, and to sign the all-new Armed Pennsylvania: Say to No Gun Control petition by visiting RepMetcalfe.com.

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